OUT OF THE WOODS

by J.F.T. Woods

Q. Should Christians speak in tongues?

A. Good question! 1 Corinthians 14:21-22 says, "In the Law it is written: ‘With men of other tongues and other lips I will speak to this people; And yet, for all that they will not hear Me,’ says the Lord. Therefore tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers..." NKJV.

This quote, from the very first reference to tongues to be found in the Bible (Isaiah 28:11-12), establishes the primary purpose of this miraculous gift. It was to be a sign (See Note 1 below) that God would give and Israel would reject (when tongues appear in Scripture, Jews are always present). This limits its existence to the period of God’s dealing with Israel as a nation which ended in Acts 28:25-28 and won’t resume until God restarts His prophetic clock after the Rapture. 1 Corinthians 13 points out the temporary nature of this evidential and revelatory gift, predicting its replacement by a completed canon of Scripture including Paul’s teaching of the Mystery. (See Note 2 below). It is true that Paul spoke in tongues during the Acts period. He also shaved his head to keep a Jewish vow, hurried to Jerusalem to keep a Jewish feast, became as a Jew to Jews, observed the Law while in the Land, practiced a Jewish purification rite - water baptism, went to the Jew first with God’s message, healed the sick, cast out demons, and volunteered to offer animal sacrifices in the Jewish temple. (See Note 3 below). There is no evidence that he did any of these things once Israel was fully set aside. Nor is there any indication that we are to do them. The Holy Spirit has not moved men to speak in tongues since then.

NOTES:

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NOTE 1: Of the nearness of the Day of the Lord.
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NOTE 2: 1 Corinthians 13:9-12
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NOTE 3: 1 Corinthians 14:18; Acts 18:18; 20:16; 1 Corinthians 9:20; Acts 21:24; 1 Corinthians 1:14-17; Acts 19:11-12; 21:26
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